Former Indianapolis Colts center and Super Bowl XLI champion Jeff Saturday issued a stern warning to New York Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart on Tuesday’s “SportsCenter,” urging the young signal-caller to prioritize his long-term health over reckless plays.

“You’re coming off a concussion,” Saturday said. “You understand what’s at risk early in the game, like, but let’s just not have it. It’s not about will [his teammates] defend you and fight for you. [They] absolutely will, but don’t continue to risk yourself for plays like that. We don’t need it, and…begin to play a little bit differently to protect yourself.”

Dart, who missed two weeks after a fluke fumble-induced knockout against the Chicago Bears in Week 11, returned for Week 13’s Monday night loss to the New England Patriots. The 23-year-old finished 17-of-24 for 139 yards and a touchdown, adding 20 rushing yards on four carries, but absorbed several punishing hits that reignited concerns.

One particularly vicious blow came in the first quarter on second-and-13. Scrambling right, Dart was launched airborne by Patriots linebacker Christian Elliss, crashing hard onto the Giants’ sideline in a legal but jarring tackle.

The hit sparked a brief scuffle, with tight end Theo Johnson drawing a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty for charging to Dart’s aid, backed by the offensive line.

Unfazed, Dart defiantly defended his aggressive style postgame, dismissing critics who want him to slide more often.

“This is football. Like, I’m going to get hit if I’m in the pocket or outside the pocket. I feel like I played this way my whole entire life. It shouldn’t be any shocker to anybody if you followed along with my career,” Dart said. “We’re not playing soccer out here. You’re going to get hit. Things happen. It’s just part of the game. I played like this my whole life. Turn on my high school tape, turn on my college tape; it’s not a shocker to anybody. It’s how I’ve played. I felt like if you just watch the game, like, I did slide. I did avoid a lot of hits, so you’re going to get hit. It’s football.”

“My body feels good. I’m going to play aggressive,” he added. “I feel like if I just turn into a complete pocket passer, that’s just not how I want to play the game. I feel like there’s an advantage to me using my legs.”

Interim coach Mike Kafka praised Dart’s toughness.

“Jaxson’s an aggressive football player,” he said. “Obviously, don’t want him to take any hits that are unnecessary, but he was working his way out of bounds. Jaxson did a nice job, slid a couple times for us, and did everything we asked him to do.”

Teammate Jon Runyan Jr. echoed the worry.

“I told him earlier [Monday], be smart, protect ourselves,” he said. “That’s just how he is. We’re just going to have to keep talking to him.”

With the Giants mired in a seven-game skid at 2-11, Saturday’s plea underscores a broader narrative: Dart’s dual-threat talent is electric, but at what cost to his budding career?